The primary reason for the high TV ratings during the Dodgers-Padres NLDS series is Ohtani. Before 2024, he was already seen as baseball’s top player, but this year he has reached new levels of stardom.
Ohtani is poised to become the first designated hitter to win an MVP award and has made history by being the first player to achieve a 50-50 season, leading the league with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. He also topped the National League with 130 RBIs, 134 runs scored, and a 1.036 OPS.
His impact on the field has been remarkable. He had a career-best year at the plate and helped an injury-plagued Dodgers team to a 2-1 series lead in the NLCS against the New York Mets. Off the field, his influence and marketability are unprecedented.
From fans waiting hours for an Ohtani bobblehead to the influx of Japanese tour groups at Dodger Stadium and astonishing Japanese TV viewership, Ohtani has made the Dodgers a global sensation.
If the Dodgers reach the World Series, the games featuring Yamamoto could attract even more viewers in Japan than the NLDS Game 5. This represents truly uncharted territory for Major League Baseball.
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